Moths of North Carolina
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3 NC Records

Thaumatopsis solutellus (Zeller, 1863) - No Common Name

Thaumatopsis solutellusThaumatopsis solutellusThaumatopsis solutellus
Taxonomy
Family:
Crambidae		Subfamily:
Crambinae		P3 Number:
80a1484		 MONA Number:
5449.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Kearfott (1903)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Thaumatopsis solutellus is distinguished from similar crambids by its pectinate antennae and warm-brown forewing with a longitudinal white stripe that is widest at the base and tapers to a point beyond the middle of the wing. The following description is based in part on the of Kearfott (1903). The head and thorax -- along with the long, pointed, and forward-projecting palps -- have a varying mixture of light-brown, dark brown or cream-colored scales that are long and erect. The dark-brown antenna is pectinate and encircled by a ring of cream-colored scales at the base. The forewing is brown to tannish-brown and conspicuously marked with a white longitudinal stripe that begins at the wing base and gradually narrows and fades away at around one-half to three-fifths the wing length. Small patches of dark-brown scales, along with a few embedded white scales, are often present on the basal two-thirds of the wing below the inner margin, but are often concealed on resting individuals. A dusting of darker scales is also often evident between the white stripe and the costa. A line of dark dots is usually evident along the outer margin, and the fringe is short and more-or-less concolorous with the ground color of the wing. The hindwing is dark brown with a lighter fringe and a narrow basal line.
Wingspan: 20-23 mm (Kearfott, 1903)
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Thaumatopsis solutellus is mostly found in coastal habitats from New Hampshire southward to North Carolina. A few records are also known from peripheral areas around the Great Lakes in Indiana, Michigan and southern Ontario. As of 2024, we have only two records from coastal sites.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Thaumatopsis solutellus
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from September and October in different areas of the range, with most from October. Our two records as of 2024 are from late-October and early-November.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: The preferred habitats are poorly documented, but this species is commonly associated with grassy habitats such as coastal dune and scrub communities.
Larval Host Plants: The hosts are undocumented, but are thought to be grasses.
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and can sometimes be flushed from grassy habitats in October.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR[S1S2]
State Protection:
Comments: Thaumatopsis solutellus appears to reach its southern limits in North Carolina where it appears to be rare and restricted to coastal communities such as dune and scrub habitats.

 Photo Gallery for Thaumatopsis solutellus - No common name

Photos: 3

Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-11-07
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-11-07
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-10-30
Carteret Co.
Comment: